Communication system



Aug. 6, 1940. c. R. DOTY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 12, 1937 mm n V? R M m mv W Yv w 2 w T. m T! T}, b I mm m T IF W TI. A A F NV MVTV A IF N N T! 1 mm m\ I 4T 3 4w ATTORNEY Aug. 6, 1940. c. R. DOTY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Filed Feb. 12. 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 AfTTjiNEY 1940. c. R. new 2.210.571

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM I Filed Feb. 12, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 f v) mggwrog ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 6, 1940 UNITED STATES COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Charles R. Doty, Binghamtora'N. Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York 3 Application February 12, 1937, Serial No. 125,376

3 Claims.

This invention relates to translating systems and more particularly to systems operable under the control of indicia storing means to operate selectively the mechanism embodied in the sys- 5 tern.

The present invention is adapted particularly to translating systems provided with automatic controlling means which in part is in the nature of a tape, sheet, or ribbon on which characters 10 or other indicia to be reproduced are represented by indications to operate selectively the associated translating mechanism.

. Perforations may be shown as one form of indications and are formed by any suitable 15 means and are provided on a tape or sheet wide enough to contain a longitudinal series or combinations of perforations, the combinations of which are effective for controlling each element of the machine to be operated and used in con- 20 nection with the translating procedure.

The present invention is particularly adapted for remote control of the translating devices which may be tele-typewriting devices, punches, accounting and calculating machines, fac-simile 25 devices and the like and which are controlled by some form of indicia representations. This invention will be explained in conjunction with one particular type of mechanism adaptable to be controlled by indicia representations. It is 30 obvious that the invention to be disclosed then is not limited to the embodied mechanism in the system and that the presented form is merely for illustrative purposes of the invention.

In the present invention, the character stor- 35 ing means, such as a perforated tape or sheet, is provided with combinational perforations to represent each character or indicia, and more specifically, the number of perforations used to represent each character is always the same. 4|) In the particular-example, two perforations are provided for each character. The said perforations are then transformed to timed electrical impulses which are effective to control the translating element control means which may be in I the form of solenoids which are-associated with each of the said elements.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means to store the electrical impulses.

which are initiated in accordance with the per- 60 forations and at .a later timed interval trans-' mitted for control purposes. The storing means in the present instance may be in the form of relays which are operated in accordance with the perforations, and maintained in the operll ated condition after sensing of the perforations until the stored impulses are transmitted to a translating device.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious from the following particular description of one form of mechanism embodying the invention or from an inspection of the accompanying drawings; and the invention also constitutes certain new and useful features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram 'of the characte storing and impulse initiating system.

Fig. 2 is a circuitdiagram for one type of translating system.

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the rotary control device used in the translating system.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of one form of translating device.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a sensing device generally indicated by the reference character 30 is shown to comprise a conducting roller 3| adapted to be rotated continuously by motor 32 so as to feed a perforated record sheet 33 supported by said roller. A plurality of sensing brushes 34 are shown associated with said sheet and roller and adapted to com- .plete a circuit upon engaging the perforations 35 of the sheet. Further and detailed description of the sensing mechanism proper is not deemed necessary since such mechanisms are well known in the art and one form of which is shown and described in detail inU. S. Patent No. 2,049,705. Two perforations are provided to represent each character indicia, therefore, as the sheet is advanced to the sensing positions, and upon engagement thereof by the brushes 34, two individual control circuits are completed.

For example, assume that two perforations are provided in the record sheet so that as the sheet is advanced to the sensing position, brushes I 34-41 and 31-h sense the perforations and com-- plete the following circuits through the said conducting roller. 3| and conducting segment 36 of the rotary distributor 31 and the associated conducting ring 38. Before tracing the circuits established by the said brushes, it should be stated that the distributor 31 is well known in the art and that the diagrammatic representation thereof in the figure is deemed to be sufficient in view of the additional statements. The brushes 39 and 40 are rotated continuously and in unison by any suitable means which, in the present example, may be the motor 32. The brushes 3! are shown to engage the conducting segments 4| during rotation thereof. It is seen that two groups of conducting segments are provided, namely 4|--l to I and 41-8 to H, the purpose of which will be understood as the description progresses. The usual common conducting ring 42 is provided. Three additional control rings 38, 43 and 44 are provided and are engaged by the associated brushes 40. The conducting ring 43 is provided with an insulated segment 45 which is traversed by the brushes immediately after the conducting segment 4ll4. Ring 44 is provided with a single conducting segment engaged near the end of the brush cycle and a common conducting ring 35 is provided. It should also be mentioned that by means of gear box 45 one row of perforations on the sheet 33 is advanced to the sensing brushes for one revolution of the distributor brushes 39 and 40, and that the perforations are sensed by the said brushes as the brushes traverse segment 35 of ring 44.

To continue with the example, a circuit is established by means of brush 34-a sensing a perforation at the time brush engages segment 36 as follows: grounded battery 41, switch 48 (now closed), conducting ring 38, brushes 40, segment 35, conductor 49, common brush 5!, roller 3|, brush 34-a, conductor 5| and the grounded operating coil of relay 52, energizing said relay. A holding circuit for said relay is immediately established by energizing the holding coil by means of the grounded battery 41, conducting rings 35 and 43, conductor 53, contact 54 (now closed) and the grounded holding coil of relay 52. It is seen that the said relay remains operated for practically a complete brush cycle, and is .deenergized when the described holding circuit is interrupted by the insulating segment 45. Similarly, by means of brush 34-h engaging a perforation, the operating coil of relay 55 is energized, operating the relay and establishing a holding circuit therefor through the associated contact 55 and conducting ring 43 Relay 55, also, is maintained energized until the insulated segment is engaged by the associated .brush to open theestablished holding circuit.

.During the following brush cycle, impulses are transmitted to the line 51 when the brushes traverse the conducting segments 4 l-l and 4 l-9 since the associated circuits have been conditioned, that is, the individual circuits are now closed by means of the contacts 58 and 59 which are operated by the relays 52 and 55. These circuits areestablished by the rotary brushes 38 during the brush cycle to initiate the character impulses at definite timed intervals therein and impressing said impulses upon the line 51 for the purpose of controlling a suitable translating normal inoperative condition, so that as the brush 40 engages segment 35 the brushes 34 sense a new combination of perforations and cause the set up of a new combination of storing relays which at a later time transmit the timed character pulses as described.

It should be mentioned that during the brush cycle by means of the conducting segment 4l--i5,

whenever the switch 50 is closed, single control pulses are transmitted to the line 51 for control 7 purposes such as maintaining synchronism between the transmitting and receiving rotary dist'ributors whenever said distributors are used in the translating system. i

It is now understood how the character impulses are initiated for controlling purposes, so that the following brief description will set forth one type of translating system which may be used in conjunction therewith. For a more detailed description of the translating system, reference may be made to the copending application Serial No. 113,102, filed November 28, 1936.

Referring now to Fig. 2, a segmented commutator 50 is provided and similar to the transmitting distributor 31, twenty segments 5| are provided and arranged in groups as previously described. Additional segments 52 are provided V to properly phase the receiving distributor motor 53 so as to operate in phase and synchronism with the transmitting distributor motor. Assume that only the synchronizing impulses are transmitted and that the receiving system is just connected to theline by closed switch 54 to engage contacts A." If the synchronizing impulses are received as brushes 55 pass over the synchronizing segment 5l-l5, the signal 55 is energized to indicate the condition of synchronism; however, in the event that the synchronizlng pulses are received as the brushes 55 pass over any of the segments 52, the relay 51 isenergized to open the associatedcontacts 55 momentarily.

The purpose of opening one side of the line to the synchronous motor 53 is to cause the motor to slip a pole, thereby adjusting the brush position of the receiving distributor with respect to the brush position of the transmitting distributor. To limit the pole slipping to one pole per opera tion of relay 51, a resistance 55 is placed across the contacts 58 so as to be included'in series in the motor supply circuit when contacts 55 are opened. When synchronism is obtained, the signal 55 is energized indicating the fact and switch 54 now is positioned to engage contact B conditioning thesystem for operation of the translating units.

The first group of character signals transmitted is provided to energize the controllingsolenoids 10 (Fig. 3) to release rotary clutches 14. The energization of solenoid III displaces the arm II to release the dog 12 to engage the clutch member I3 near the end of the distributor cycle to rotate the conducting disk 14 closing the circuits, associated with the brushes 15; therefore, to 'continue with the assumed example, the first impulse for character A" is received as the distributor brushes 55 pass over segment 5l2 to complete the following circuit, conductor 15, collector ring TI, brushes 55, segment 5l-2, conductor ll, solenoid 10--a, conductor I9 and switch 54 to conductor representing the other side of the incoming line. Energizing of solenoid 1H releases the clutch disk '|4a to connect the corresponding brushes "|5a to the associated circuits; however, it must be understood that the dog "does not engage the notch or tooth of the clutch member 13 (Fig. 3) to rotate the disk |4a until later in the said cycle, that is, ap-' proximately when the distributor brushes 55 pass the segment 5l|3 as shown in the figure.

The second group of impulses of the character signals are received on segments 5l--l to l4 to control the charging of condensers II, the purpose of which will be understood as the descriptlon progresses. The second impulse for the character A is received as brushes 65 pass the distributor segment Gl8 to charge the condenser 8la as follows: conductor I6, collector ring 11, brushes 65, segment lil 8, conductor 82, condenser 8la, conductors 83 and I8, switch 54 to conductor 80, charging the condenser. Attached to the distributor brush. driving shaft 84 (Fig. 3) is a control ring 85 provided with two conducting segments 86 and 81. Conducting segment 86 is arranged so that during the rotation of the control ring 85 itis adapted to engage brushes DH and 88-1) and conducting segment 8! at a later interval in the cycle is adapted to engage brushes 88-1) and 88-0. Conducting segment 86 is adapted to engage theassociated brushes at a time in the cycle approximately when the distributor brushes 85 pass over the segment 6l--l5. The length of the said segment may be varied, the only provision being that it must be of such length to permit the discharge of the associated condenser 8! to be elfective to energize the particular character key solenoid selected; the segment 8] then engages the associa'ted brushes a short timed interval later in the cycle.

As the segment 86 engages the brushes88-a and 88-b, the condenser 8I--a just charged is now arranged to discharge through a particular character solenoid to effect the selection of a particular character key bar solenoid from a group of solenoids that are connected to the brushes 15a associated with the clutch disk 14-0. The discharge circuit for condenser "-41 is as follows: condenser 8Ia, conductor 89, brush 88-h, conducting segment 86, brush 88-41, common conductor 90, solenoid 18 for character key bar A, conductor 91, brushes IS-a, common return conductors 52 and I9 to the condenser, thereby energizing solenoid 18 for the character A. The other solenoid circuits for characters Z, Q, and W etc. are not affected since the associated brushes l5--a are engaging the insulated portion of clutch disks "ll-a. The segment 81 then engages brushes "-1) and 88-0 to short circuit the condenser "-11 through resistance 93 so as to avoid the possibility of any charge remaining in the said condenser so as to prevent a faulty energization of any solenoid circuits in the following cycles.

It is evident from the description just set forth how the other character selections may be effected and further detailed description thereof is deemed not necessary.

A particular type of solenoid controlled character translating device will now be described by referring to Fig. 4 which shows the main operating elements of the well known Electromatic typewriter. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, well known means are provided for actuating the type bars (not shown) by power operated devices comprising in part a power driven roller l0.

A cam I I is pivoted on one arm of a bell crank lever l2 pivoted in the frame, the other arm of which is operatively connected with one arm of a bell crank lever l3 by means of link I4. The other arm of lever I3 is connected to the type bars (not shown) in a well known manner.

the key lever I! in a manner which will now be described.

The cam II is resiliently engaged by a springpressed arm 20 which tends to turn it into engagement with the power driven roller or stop 2| on a lever 22 pivoted on the bell crank l2 and nor- .mally arranged in the path of a lug on the cam.

When the lever 22 swings to move its stop out of the path of the lug, the arm 20 swings the cam into engagement with the power roller to be actuated thereby to swing the bell crank I2 to actuate its connected mechanism.

The lever 22 has an arm 24 which is provided with an offset projection 25 at its end which projects laterally through an opening in the bell-crank l2 and engages the bifurcated lower end 26 of an arm 21 of a key lever l1 pivoted on the common rod 28.

It is obvious then that depression of a key lever ll releases the revolubly mounted cam H to engage and be actuated by power roller III in turn operating bell crank l2 and its attached links to cause the associated mechanism. such as the key bars and other operating mechanisms, to be operated.

Attached to the key lever I1 is a connecting link l5 extending to a solenoid ll disposed beneath the keyboard, so that upon energization of the said solenoid the connected key lever is depressed'to operate the connected mechanism in the manner just explained.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modification, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated andin its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is as'followsz' 1. In a communication system of the class described wherein a character selecting means is provided; the combination of relay means under the control of the selecting means, means for selectively operating said relay means in accordance with the selected. character, a cyclically operated commutating means having conducting segments thereon .in electrical connection with the operated relay means and efiective to set up a combination of differentially timed impulses during a predetermined time interval to represent the selected oharacter,'and means for reconverting said combination of impulses as they are set up by the commutating means into the character represented thereby and including means receptive to the impulses at definite and predetermined time intervals during the cycle of the commutat means for'energizi'ng the pick up coils selectively under the control of the selecting means to close said contacts in accordance with the character selected and means including said holding coils for maintaining said contacts closed after deenergization of the pick up coils, a cyclically operating commutating means having conducting segments thereon in electrical connection with said contacts and coacting with the closed contacts to set up a plurality of impulses during a predetermined time interval to represent the selected character, impulse transmitting means electrically connected to the commutating means through the operated relay contacts for transmitting the impulses as they are set up by the commutating means, and cyclically timed commutating means controlled by the latter transmitting means to receive said impulses at differential times during the cycle of the latter commutating means.

3. In an electrical communication system in which a receiving mechanism has character re- 7 up coils selectively energized under control of the character selecting means according to the designations of a selected character, relay contacts closed by the energized pick up coils and maintained closed by the associated holding coils after deenergization of the pick up coils occurring after the character selection has been completed, and electrical transmitting means including an electrical timing device synchronized with the aforesaid electrical timing means and cooperating with the closed relay contacts for trans mitting impulses at difierential times corresponding to the designations of the selected character to the aforesaid circuit means of the receiving unitto be converted by the latter circuit means through operation of the timing means thereof into corresponding operation of the recording means to record the selected character.

' CHARLES R. DOTY. 

